Message From Our Executive Director
Honoring Our Past, Celebrating Our People, Inspiring Our Future
May 20, 2026
Good day PTHA patients and community,
As we celebrate 50 years of care at Puyallup Tribal Health Authority, we reflect with pride on how far we have come and the strong foundation built by those who came before us. What began in a double-wide modular clinic near the cemetery has grown into an expansive healthcare campus dedicated to providing full-service, high-quality care for our patients, families, and community.
This milestone year is an opportunity to honor our past, celebrate our people, and inspire our future. For five decades, our staff, providers, Tribal leadership, and community members have worked together to create a place of healing grounded in compassion, culture, and excellence. Their dedication continues to shape who we are today.
While we celebrate our history, we are also looking ahead with excitement and purpose. In June, we will launch a new electronic health record system that will strengthen coordination of care and improve the patient experience. We are also expanding our campus with a new office building, growing our behavioral health services to meet increasing community needs, and opening a new imaging center to provide more convenient access to advanced diagnostic care.
These investments reflect our commitment to the future of Tribal healthcare and to the generations who will rely on us in the years ahead. Together, we will continue building a healthier, stronger community while honoring the values and vision that have guided us for the past 50 years.
Thank you for being part of this journey. We look forward to continuing to serve our community with excellence, respect, and heart for many years to come.
David C. Tonemah, MBA
Executive Director
Puyallup Tribal Health Authority
A Message From Our Executive Director
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February 20, 2025
Dear PTHA Patients and Community,
As federal policies shift, we know these changes can create uncertainty. At PTHA, we remain committed to our mission and values. Our top priority is the safety and well-being of our patients, staff and community. Regardless of political developments, our focus remains on providing high-quality, culturally grounded healthcare in a safe and welcoming environment.
While recent executive orders and funding shifts have raised questions, they do not immediately impact our services. PTHA is financially stable and continues to operate as usual. We are not subject to federal hiring freezes, and our care remains rooted in tribal sovereignty and patient-centered values.
We also understand concerns regarding privacy and immigration policies. We want to reassure our patients that immigration status is not a condition of care, and we do not share patient information with ICE or any government agency without a legal requirement. Your privacy, dignity, and well-being remain protected.
Our leadership, along with the Puyallup Tribe, state and national policymakers, and advocates, continue to work on behalf of your healthcare. We are proud to have a direct voice at the Northwest Portland Area Indian Health Board (NPAIHB), ensuring our community’s needs are represented in critical health policy discussions.
During these ever-changing times, one thing remains constant—our dedication to you. We will continue to advocate, adapt, and provide the high quality care you deserve.
In Good Health,
David C. Tonemah, MBA
Executive Director
Puyallup Tribal Health Authority-
Greetings and welcome to the Puyallup Tribal Health Authority website.
I want to thank you for taking the time to visit our NEW site.
There have been and are many changes going on here at PTHA, and I would like to take a moment to share a few of those changes with you.
- We updated our website as we wanted it to be more useful
- We passed AAAHC and our Dental Department was deemed a Dental Home
- We updated signage inside the Takopid building
- New parking was added to support staff
- We added a digital sign, facing 32nd Street, to provide information for our patients
- We have established an Integrated Behavioral Health Department
- We received an award from Portland Area Indian Health Service for improving access to care and quality care for our patients
- We were awarded the Indian Health Service IHS Director’s Award
- Implemented Patient Satisfaction Surveys with every visit
These are only a few of the great things going on at PTHA. We are constantly looking for ways to improve access to care and quality care for our patients.
So please take the time to look through our website. Whether you are looking for a job, or looking for a provider, we hope that you find our new site useful!
ʔa čəɫ txʷəl dəgʷi. We are here for you.